After the jump: why the 2012-13 season won't be cancelled, looking at the possibility of replacement players, trying to identify players that raise their game in the post-season, and a lot more.

Why the league will not cancel the 2012-13 season. Much has been made of the fact that it’s in the players’ best interests to capitulate soon, but as it turns out the same is true for owners – they’re better off accepting the NHLPA’s offer than losing a year and getting everything they want. Bottom line: both sides have ample incentive to make a deal. [NHL Numbers]

Would you watch replacement players? Jason Gregor gets into the dynamics of the NHL brining in replacement players, and also asks the pivotal question – if the league did it, would you watch the games? [Oilers Nation]

Replacement players: a former NHL player’s take. Veteran defenceman Jason Strudwick explains why he thinks using replacement players would be bad for the NHL. [Oilers Nation]

Two minutes of hate: Esa Tikkanen edition. Oilers fans remember Esa Tikkanen as a loveable little Finn, as well as a pretty good player with a penchant for incomprehensibly jabbering at the opposition and occasionally inserting his stick into places it didn’t *technically* belong. Apparently, Flames fans remember him differently. [Flames Nation]

Do players elevate their game in the post-season? Eric T. compares the results of players in the regular season and the post-season, and looks for outliers. [NHL Numbers]

Graphic Comments: Be a player. The always spectacular Graphic comments series continues with some advice on how to handle an NHL lockout like a professional. [CanucksArmy]

Photo: Dave O/Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 2.0

Warning: You may agree with Don Cherry here. The legendary Hockey Night in Canada personality discovers Twitter and blasts Toronto for their treatment of Nazem Kadri. Does Cherry have a point, or is it so much hot air, uh, typing? [Leafs Nation]

But while you may agree with Don Cherry, Dallas Eakins does not. The Toronto Marlies head coach responds Cherry, mostly respectfully until the subtle little elbow at the end. [Leafs Nation]

The subtle PR war being waged by the players and the NHLPA. It’s interesting to note how the NHLPA is coordinating what players say and tweet, but there’s a better side to the story – in Vancouver, at least, players are doing a lot for the community. [Canucks Army]

Why Patrick Thoresen should be in the NHL A gritty, heart-and-soul utility player when he made his major league appearance a few years back, Thoresen has discovered his scoring touch overseas, and emerged as one of the most dominant players in the KHL over the last four seasons. Why isn’t this guy playing in the majors? [Oilers Nation]

Are there players who drive shot quality? We all know shot quality exists at the individual shot level, but are there individual players in the NHL who do a good job of suppressing the shot quality of the opposition, or improving that of their linemates? [NHL Numbers]

Jonathan Willis is a freelance writer.
He currently works for Oilers Nation, Sportsnet, the Edmonton Journal and Bleacher Report.
He's co-written three books and worked for myriad websites, including Grantland, ESPN, The Score, and Hockey Prospectus. He was previously the founder and managing editor of Copper & Blue.

I do believe the league is going to cancel the entire season. Imagine, all those lawyers and they couldn't get it right before. I'm betting they still don't get it right.

I would also watch replacement players. There are an awful lot of very good hockey players that don't make it for some reason or other. And it cost the same amount for me to watch them as it does for me to watch the regulars. My TV package doesn't go up or down depending on who plays hockey.

As for Struds not accepting replacement players? Really? I'd say most, if not all would be a better player than you were, and you got over 600 games.

I have a stick signed by all members of the Oilers for the 08 or 09 season, i'm not sure which one. If any of you writers on here want to auction it off, you can have it. I think you can find my e-mail in your database.

I know the rational arguments say that both sides have a lot to lose, but a part of me can't help but feel that reason and rationality might be on the wane right now amongst these two groups. It feels as though egos are in ascendance here and I wouldn't be entirely surprised if an(other) entire season were lost.

~I'm sure Struds would be dismayed to learn that his entire NHL career merely amounted to holding back those amazing potential replacement players that were so much better than he.~

~ All those 1-year contracts he earned in the best league in the world were simply a testament to his witchcraft which allowed him to trick GMs into signing him when apparently there were always better players available.~

~I'm sure Struds would be dismayed to learn that his entire NHL career merely amounted to holding back those amazing potential replacement players that were so much better than he.~

~ All those 1-year contracts he earned in the best league in the world were simply a testament to his witchcraft which allowed him to trick GMs into signing him when apparently there were always better players available.~

Give some respect where it is due!

Nobody has to trick GM's. They continue to prove their stupidity with every contract they sign. They've done it for years, and nothing is going to change those smart people.

Congeadulations to all who make the NHl. Doesn't mean they all deserve to be there.

I guess if you're not good enough to be drafted, then you would be considered a replacement player as far as i'm concerned.